Operations support systems and methods for calculating and evaluating engine emissions

• US 9,181,878 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2011
• Issued: 11/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Moeckly, Kevin, Ling, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Elchanti, Hussein A.
• Application Number:
  US13/330,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20130158832A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29.1, 701/31.1, 701/31.4, 701/32.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 9/00 Controlling gas-turbine plants; Controlling fuel supply in air- breathing jet-propulsion plants controlling air intakes F02C7/057; controlling turbines F01D; controlling compressors F04D27/00; controlling in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/80 Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/80 Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/08 to produce clean exhaust gases
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/71 synthesized, i.e. parameter computed by a mathematical model
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an operations support system for an engine is provided. A diagnostics unit is configured to receive engine data from the engine and to generate condition indicators based on the engine data using a thermodynamic model, the thermodynamic model being based on component maps associated with the engine. An emissions calculation unit is coupled to the diagnostic unit and configured to calculate emissions information for the engine based on the condition indicators. A graphical user interface is coupled to the emissions calculation unit and configured to display the emissions information.

Claims

1. An operations support system for an engine, comprising:

a diagnostic engine model unit configured to receive engine data from the engine and to generate diagnostics data based on the engine data;

an engine-specific model unit coupled to the diagnostic engine model unit and configured to receive the diagnostics data from the diagnostic engine model unit and to generate engine diagnostic scalars using an engine-specific thermodynamic model, the thermodynamic model being based on component maps associated with the engine;

an emissions calculation unit coupled to the engine-specific model unit and configured to calculate emissions information for the engine based on the engine diagnostic scalars; and

a graphical user interface coupled to the emissions calculation unit and configured to display the emissions information.

2. The operations support system of claim 1, further comprising a GPS unit coupled to the graphical user interface and configured to provide a location of the engine to the graphical user interface.

3. The operations support system of claim 2, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display the emissions information as a function of the location.

4. The operations support system of claim 3, further comprising an emissions limit unit coupled to the graphical user interface and configured to provide emissions standards for the location to the graphical user interface.

5. The operations support system of claim 4, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display the emissions information as a function of the emissions standards and the location.

6. The operations support system of claim 1, further comprising an emissions sensor coupled to the emissions calculations unit and configured to provide emissions data to the emissions calculations unit.

7. The operations support system of claim 6, wherein the emissions calculations unit is configured to calibrate the calculation of the emissions information.

8. The operations support system of claim 1, wherein the emissions calculations unit is configured to calculate the emissions information in real-time.

9. The operations support system of claim 1, wherein the emissions calculations unit is configured to calculate the emissions information based on engine temperature, engine air pressure, engine air flow, and engine fuel flow.

10. The operations support system of claim 1, wherein the engine-specific model unit is further configured to adjust the engine-specific thermodynamic model based on the engine diagnostic scalars.